scholarly journals Low-voltage activated (LVA) inward current in murine antral smooth muscle cells is an artifact

Author(s):  
Ji Yeon Lee ◽  
Haifeng Zheng ◽  
Kenton M. Sanders ◽  
Sang Don Koh

We characterized the two types of voltage-dependent inward currents in murine antral SMC. The HVA and LVA inward currents were identified when cells were bathed in Ca2+-containing physiological salt solution. We examined whether the LVA inward current was due to: 1) T-type Ca2+ channels, 2) Ca2+-activated Cl- channels, 3) non-selective cation channels (NSCC) or 4) voltage-dependent K+ channels with internal Cs+-rich solution. Replacement of external Ca2+ (2 mM) with equimolar Ba2+ increased the amplitude of the HVA current but blocked the LVA current. Nicardipine blocked the HVA current, and in the presence of nicardipine, T-type Ca2+ blockers failed to block LVA. The Cl- channel antagonist had little effect on LVA. Cation-free external solution completely abolished both HVA and LVA. Addition of Ca2+ in cation-free solution restored only HVA currents. Addition of K+ (5 mM) to cation-free solution induced LVA current that reversed at -20 mV. These data suggest that LVA is not due to T-type Ca2+ channels, Ca2+-activated Cl- channels or NSCC. Antral SMC express A-type K+ currents (KA) and delayed rectifying K+ currents (KV) with dialysis of high K+ (140 mM) solution. When cells were exposed to high K+ external solution with dialysis of Cs+-rich solution in the presence of nicardipine, LVA was evoked and reversed at positive potentials. These HK-induced inward currents were blocked by K+ channel blockers, 4-aminopyridine and TEA. In conclusion, LVA inward currents can be generated by K+ influx via KA and KV channels in murine antral SMC when cells were dialyzed with Cs+-rich solution.

2014 ◽  
Vol 306 (7) ◽  
pp. C705-C713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haifeng Zheng ◽  
Kyung Sik Park ◽  
Sang Don Koh ◽  
Kenton M. Sanders

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) generate slow waves in gastrointestinal (GI) muscles. Previous studies have suggested that slow wave generation and propagation depends on a voltage-dependent Ca2+ entry mechanism with the signature of a T-type Ca2+ conductance. We studied voltage-dependent inward currents in isolated ICC. ICC displayed two phases of inward current upon depolarization: a low voltage-activated inward current and a high voltage-activated current. The latter was of smaller current density and blocked by nicardipine. Ni2+ (30 μM) or mibefradil (1 μM) blocked the low voltage-activated current. Replacement of extracellular Ca2+ with Ba2+ did not affect the current, suggesting that either charge carrier was equally permeable. Half-activation and half-inactivation occurred at −36 and −59 mV, respectively. Temperature sensitivity of the Ca2+ current was also characterized. Increasing temperature (20–30°C) augmented peak current from −7 to −19 pA and decreased the activation time from 20.6 to 7.5 ms [temperature coefficient (Q10) = 3.0]. Molecular studies showed expression of Cacna1g (Cav3.1) and Cacna1h (Cav3.2) in ICC. The temperature dependence of slow waves in intact jejunal muscles of wild-type and Cacna1h −/− mice was tested. Reducing temperature decreased the upstroke velocity significantly. Upstroke velocity was also reduced in muscles of Cacna1h −/− mice, and Ni2+ or reduced temperature had little effect on these muscles. Our data show that a T-type conductance is expressed and functional in ICC. With previous studies our data suggest that T-type current is required for entrainment of pacemaker activity within ICC and for active propagation of slow waves in ICC networks.


1995 ◽  
Vol 269 (3) ◽  
pp. G378-G385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Xiong ◽  
N. Sperelakis ◽  
A. Noffsinger ◽  
C. Fenoglio-Preiser

Voltage-gated Ca2+ currents were investigated in single smooth muscle cells freshly isolated from the circular layer of the human colon (ascending and descending portions) using the whole cell voltage-clamp technique. Tissue samples were obtained at the time of therapeutic surgery. In physiological salt solution (containing 2 mM Ca2+), an inward current was observed when the cell membrane was depolarized in the presence of tetrodotoxin. This current disappeared when Ca2+ was removed from the bath solution and was inhibited when Ca2+ channel blockers were applied, indicating that the inward current was a Ca2+ current (ICa). Changing the holding potential (HP) from -100 mV to more positive potentials (e.g., -60 and -40 mV) markedly decreased the amplitude of ICa. The voltage dependence of steady-state activation and inactivation was represented by Boltzmann distributions; there was a substantial amount of overlap (window current) between -60 and -10 mV. A fast-inactivating ICa component followed by a slow-inactivating ICa component was observed in some cells from both ascending and descending colons. The fast ICa component was observed only when cells were held at -80 or -100 mV, and had a more negative threshold potential (-70 to -60 mV). This component was sensitive to low concentrations of Ni2+ (30 microM) but was resistant to nifedipine (10-20 microM). In contrast, the slow (sustained) ICa component was observed at all HPs (-40 to -100 mV) and had a more positive threshold potential (about -40 mV). This component was insensitive to low concentration of Ni2+ but was sensitive to nifedipine and BAY K 8644.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdesslam Chrachri

AbstractWhole-cell patch-clamp recordings from identified centrifugal neurons of the optic lobe in a slice preparation allowed the characterization of five voltage-dependent currents; two outward and three inward currents. The outward currents were; the 4-aminopyridine-sensitive transient potassium or A-current (IA), the TEA-sensitive sustained current or delayed rectifier (IK). The inward currents were; the tetrodotoxin-sensitive transient current or sodium current (INa). The second is the cobalt- and cadmium-sensitive sustained current which is enhanced by barium and blocked by the dihydropyridine antagonist, nifedipine suggesting that it could be the L-type calcium current (ICaL). Finally, another transient inward current, also carried by calcium, but unlike the L-type, this current is activated at more negative potentials and resembles the low-voltage-activated or T-type calcium current (ICaT) of other preparations.Application of the neuropeptide FMRFamide caused a significant attenuation to the peak amplitude of both sodium and sustained calcium currents without any apparent effect on the transient calcium current. Furthermore, FMRFamide also caused a reduction of both outward currents in these centrifugal neurons. The fact that FMRFamide reduced the magnitude of four of five characterized currents could suggest that this neuropeptide may act as a strong inhibitory agent on these neurons.SummaryFMRFamide modulate the ionic currents in identified centrifugal neurons in the optic lobe of cuttlefish: thus, FMRFamide could play a key role in visual processing of these animals.


2003 ◽  
Vol 94 (1) ◽  
pp. 301-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Karkanis ◽  
Ling DeYoung ◽  
Gerald B. Brock ◽  
Stephen M. Sims

Little is known of the excitatory mechanisms that contribute to the tonic contraction of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle in the flaccid state. We used patch-clamp electrophysiology to investigate a previously unidentified inward current in freshly isolated rat and human corporal myocytes. Phenylephrine (PE) contracted cells and activated whole cell currents. Outward current was identified as large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ current. The inward current elicited by PE was dependent on the Cl− gradient and was inhibited by niflumic acid, indicative of a Ca2+-activated Cl− (ClCa) current. Furthermore, spontaneous transient outward and inward currents (STOCs and STICs, respectively) were identified in both rat and human corporal myocytes and derived from large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ and ClCa channel activity. STICs and STOCs were inhibited by PE and A-23187, and combined 8-bromoadenosine cAMP and 8-bromoadenosine cGMP decreased their frequency. When studied in vivo, chloride channel blockers transiently increased intracavernosal pressure and prolonged nerve-evoked erections. This report reveals for the first time ClCa current in rat and human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells and demonstrates its key functional role in the regulation of penile erection.


1998 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 1900-1910 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miloslav Kolaj ◽  
Leo P. Renaud

Kolaj, Miloslav and Leo P. Renaud. Vasopressin-induced currents in rat neonatal spinal lateral horn neurons are G-protein mediated and involve two conductances . J. Neurophysiol. 80: 1900–1910, 1998. Arginine vasopressin (AVP) receptors are expressed early in the developing spinal cord. To characterize AVP-induced conductances in lower thoracic sympathetic preganglionic (SPN) and other lateral horn neurons, we used patch-clamp recording techniques in neonatal (11–21 days) rat spinal cord slices. Most (90%) of 273 neurons, including all 68 SPNs, responded to AVP with membrane depolarization and/or a V1 receptor-mediated, dose-dependent (0.01–1.0 μM) and tetrodotoxin (TTX)-resistant inward current. A role for G-proteins was indicated by persistence of this inward current after intracellular dialysis with GTP-γ-S or GMP-PNP, its marked reduction with GDP-β-S, and significant reduction, but not abolition, after preincubation with pertussis toxin or in the presence of N-ethylmaleimide. Analysis of individual current-voltage ( I- V) relationships in 57 cells indicated the presence of two different membrane conductances. In 21 cells, net AVP-induced currents reversed around −103 mV, reflecting reduction in one or more barium-sensitive potassium conductances; in 12 cells, net AVP-induced current reversed around −40 mV and was not significantly sensitive to several potassium channel blockers including barium, tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA), 4-aminopyridine (4AP), cesium, or glibenclamide, suggesting increase in a nonselective cationic conductance that was separate from I h; in 24 cells where I- V lines shifted in parallel, AVP-induced inward currents were significantly greater and probably involved both conductances. These data indicate that SPNs and a majority of unidentified neonatal lateral horn neurons possess functional G-protein–coupled V1-type vasopressin receptors. The wide distribution of AVP receptors in neonatal spinal lateral column cells suggests a role that may extend beyond involvement in regulation of autonomic nervous system function.


1995 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 1485-1497 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Schmidt ◽  
S. Gramoll ◽  
R. L. Calabrese

1. The effects of Phe-Met-Arg-Phe (FMRF)amide (10(-6) M) on membrane properties of heart interneurons in the third, fourth, and fifth segmental ganglia [HN(3), HN(4), and HN(5) cells, respectively] of the leech were studied using discontinuous current-clamp and single-electrode voltage-clamp techniques. FMRFamide was focally applied onto the soma of the cell under investigation. 2. Application of FMRFamide depolarized HN(3) and HN(4) cells by evoking an inward current. These responses were subject to pronounced desensitization. The inward currents evoked by application of FMRFamide were associated with an increase in membrane conductance and appeared to be voltage dependent. Currents were enhanced at more depolarized potentials. 3. The responsiveness of the HN(3) and HN(4) cells was not affected when the Ca2+ concentration in the bath saline was reduced from normal (1.8 mM) to 0.1 mM. The depolarizing response on application of FMRFamide was blocked when Co2+ was substituted for Ca2+. 4. HN(3) and HN(4) cells did not respond to FMRFamide application in Na(+)-free solution. Inward currents were largely reduced when bath saline with 30% of the normal Na+ concentration was used. When Li+ was substituted for Na+ in the saline, application of FMRFamide still evoked depolarizing responses in HN(3) and HN(4) cells. 5. We conclude that focal application of FMRFamide onto the somata of HN(3) and HN(4) cells evokes a voltage-dependent inward current, carried largely by Na+. 6. Focal application of FMRFamide onto somata of HN(5) cells hyperpolarized these cells by activating a voltage-dependent outward current. 7. HN(5) cells were loaded with Cl- until inhibitory postsynaptic potentials carried by Cl- reversed. Cl(-)-loaded cells still responded with a hyperpolarization when FMRFamide was applied onto their somata. Therefore the outward current evoked by FMRFamide appears to be mediated by a K+ conductance increase. 8. Application of FMRFamide onto the somata of HN(5) cells enhanced outward currents that were evoked by depolarizing voltage steps from a holding potential of -45 mV. 9. We conclude that the hyperpolarizing response of HN(5) cells to focal application of FMRFamide onto their somata is the result of an up-regulation of a voltage-dependent K+ current.


1982 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
J E Lisman ◽  
G L Fain ◽  
P M O'Day

The voltage-dependent conductances of Limulus ventral photoreceptors have been investigated using a voltage-clamp technique. Depolarization in the dark induces inward and outward currents. The inward current is reduced by removing Na+ or Ca2+ and is abolished by removing both ions. These results suggest that both Na+ and Ca2+ carry voltage-dependent inward current. Inward current is insensitive to tetrodotoxin but is blocked by external Ni2+. The outward current has a large transient component that is followed by a smaller maintained component. Intracellular tetraethylammonium preferentially reduces the maintained component, and extracellular 4-amino pyridine preferentially reduces the transient component. Neither component is strongly affected by removal of extracellular Ca2+ or by intracellular injection of EGTA. It is concluded that the photoreceptors contain at least three separate voltage-dependent conductances: 1) a conductance giving rise to inward currents; 2) a delayed rectifier giving rise to maintained outward K+ current; and 3) a rapidly inactivating K+ conductance similar to the A current of molluscan neurons.


2013 ◽  
Vol 304 (11) ◽  
pp. C1042-C1052 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun A. Ko ◽  
Jun Wan ◽  
Aya Yamamura ◽  
Adriana M. Zimnicka ◽  
Hisao Yamamura ◽  
...  

Electromechanical coupling via membrane depolarization-mediated activation of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCC) is an important mechanism in regulating pulmonary vascular tone, while mouse is an animal model often used to study pathogenic mechanisms of pulmonary vascular disease. The function of VDCC in mouse pulmonary artery (PA) smooth muscle cells (PASMC), however, has not been characterized, and their functional role in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated regulation of vascular function remains unclear. In this study, we characterized the electrophysiological and pharmacological properties of VDCC in PASMC and the divergent effects of ROS produced by xanthine oxidase (XO) and hypoxanthine (HX) on VDCC in PA and mesenteric artery (MA). Our data show that removal of extracellular Ca2+ or application of nifedipine, a dihydropyridine VDCC blocker, both significantly inhibited 80 mM K+-mediated PA contraction. In freshly dissociated PASMC, the maximum inward Ca2+ currents were −2.6 ± 0.2 pA/pF at +10 mV (with a holding potential of −70 mV). Window currents were between −40 and +10 mV with a peak at −15.4 mV. Nifedipine inhibited currents with an IC50 of 0.023 μM, and 1 μM Bay K8644, a dihydropyridine VDCC agonist, increased the inward currents by 61%. XO/HX attenuated 60 mM K+-mediated increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]cyt) due to Ca2+ influx through VDCC in PASMC. Exposure to XO/HX caused relaxation in PA preconstricted by 80 mM K+ but not in aorta and MA. In contrast, H2O2 inhibited high K+-mediated increase in [Ca2+]cyt and caused relaxation in both PA and MA. Indeed, RT-PCR and Western blot analysis revealed significantly lower expression of CaV1.3 in MA compared with PA. Thus our study characterized the properties of VDCC and demonstrates that ROS differentially regulate vascular contraction by regulating VDCC in PA and systemic arteries.


2001 ◽  
Vol 280 (3) ◽  
pp. C473-C480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine J. Rennie ◽  
Tianxiang Weng ◽  
Manning J. Correia

Linopirdine and XE991, selective blockers of K+ channels belonging to the KCNQ family, were applied to hair cells isolated from gerbil vestibular system and to hair cells in slices of pigeon crista. In type II hair cells, both compounds inhibited a slowly activating, slowly inactivating component of the macroscopic current recruited at potentials above −60 mV. The dissociation constants for linopirdine and XE991 block were <5 μM. A similar component of the current was also blocked by 50 μM capsaicin in gerbil type II hair cells. All three drugs blocked a current component that showed steady-state inactivation and a biexponential inactivation with time constants of ∼300 ms and 4 s. Linopirdine (10 μM) reduced inward currents through the low-voltage-activated K+ current in type I hair cells, but concentrations up to 200 μM had little effect on steady-state outward K+ current in these cells. These results suggest that KCNQ channels may be present in amniote vestibular hair cells.


1988 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
S C Kinnamon ◽  
S D Roper

The voltage-dependent currents of isolated Necturus lingual cells were studied using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique. Nongustatory surface epithelial cells had only passive membrane properties. Small, spherical cells resembling basal cells responded to depolarizing voltage steps with predominantly outward K+ currents. Taste receptor cells generated both outward and inward currents in response to depolarizing voltage steps. Outward K+ currents activated at approximately 0 mV and increased almost linearly with increasing depolarization. The K+ current did not inactivate and was partially Ca++ dependent. One inward current activated at -40 mV, reached a peak at -20 mV, and rapidly inactivated. This transient inward current was blocked by tetrodotoxin (TTX), which indicates that it is an Na+ current. The other inward current activated at 0 mV, peaked at 30 mV, and slowly inactivated. This more sustained inward current had the kinetic and pharmacological properties of a slow Ca++ current. In addition, most taste cells had inwardly rectifying K+ currents. Sour taste stimuli (weak acids) decreased outward K+ currents and slightly reduced inward currents; bitter taste stimuli (quinine) reduced inward currents to a greater extent than outward currents. It is concluded that sour and bitter taste stimuli produce depolarizing receptor potentials, at least in part, by reducing the voltage-dependent K+ conductance.


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